PHILADELPHIA, PA WXPN, the nationally-recognized leader in Triple A music and noncommercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, names Back Door Slam as its March Artist To Watch. Host Jim McGuinn will present the first of the month’s on-air segments on Monday, March 3, in the 4 p.m. hour.

Hailing from the unlikely locale of the U.K.’s Isle of Man, Back Door Slam, a three piece blues-rock band, captures a rich, authentic roots sound that has seemed noticeably scarce in young American groups of late. In the spirit of Eric Clapton, guitarist and vocalist Davy Knowles plays with a determination and energy that has mesmerized audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. In testament to their classic blues-rock aesthetic, Black Door Slam has toured with such rock veterans as REO Speedwagon and Styx. Packed with a mix of take-no-names rockers and soulful acoustic ballads, the group’s debut album, Roll Away was released in the summer of last year.

“We only had to see these talented young kids bring hundreds of concert goers to their feet to be convinced this band needed to be our March Artist To Watch,” said Bruce Warren, assistant general manager of programming for WXPN. “They bring an immediate sense of excitement to their audiences!”

For more on the XPN Artists To Watch series and this month’s featured artist, visit Artist To Watch

The XPN Artists To Watch series reflects WXPN’s commitment to nurturing fresh, new talent and exposing listeners to the best new music. Each month, the XPN Artists To Watch series spotlights a different up-and-coming performer who has produced an album or body of work that demonstrates outstanding vision, creativity and songwriting ability. Month-long on-air promotion is combined with online features to help audiences discover each artist.

WXPN, the nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe®, public radio’s most popular program of popular music hosted by David Dye and syndicated by NPR, and the Peabody Award winning Kids Corner hosted by Kathy O’Connell. WXPN also produces the alternative rock service, Y-Rock On XPN as its secondary radio channel in HD. WXPN serves the greater Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM, the Lehigh Valley at 104.9, Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, Lancaster/York at 88.7 FM, Harrisburg at 99.7 FM, and the world via online streaming at XPN.org.